Revolutionary Lithium Battery Center Creating Stir in Solid-State Sector
In the rapidly evolving world of lithium-ion and solid-state battery technology, dry-coating methods are making significant strides, offering a more efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to traditional wet-coating processes. This transformation is particularly noticeable in Huizhou, Guangdong province – a significant hub in China's lithium battery industry.
The dry-coating technology, which eliminates the need for solvents and high-temperature drying processes, is poised to become the mainstream method for both solid-state and liquid lithium-ion batteries, as predicted by Du Yixian, director of the research institute at Lyric Robot.
Key Developments in Dry-Coating Technology
Notable breakthroughs in dry-coating technology include Fraunhofer IWS' DRYtraec method, which mechanically fuses dry powders of active material, conductive carbon, and binders into electrodes, eliminating the slurry and drying steps typical in wet coating. This versatile technology is applicable not only to lithium-ion but also to emerging chemistries such as sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and solid-state batteries.
Companies like LEAD Intelligent have launched solvent-free dry coating systems, demonstrating commercial viability and efficiency gains from dry processes, while industry players Dürr and GROB have integrated dry-coating into new factory concepts, emphasizing energy savings, space efficiency, and better material utilization.
Impact on Production Efficiency
Dry coating eliminates the drying stage, a highly energy- and time-intensive step in wet processes, shortening production time and allowing for higher throughput. The ability to perform double-sided coating in a single step increases manufacturing speed and reduces footprint. Dry electrode films are more mechanically stable, enabling smoother downstream processing and higher-quality cell assembly.
Environmental and Sustainability Benefits
Dry coating removes the need for toxic solvents, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of battery manufacturing. Carbon footprints are estimated to be at least 55% lower compared to conventional wet coating, due to lower energy usage and solvent elimination. The dry process permits use of more environmentally friendly binders, reducing reliance on fluorinated binders that face regulatory restrictions, thus future-proofing production against tightening environmental regulations.
Summary
Dry-coating technology is rapidly maturing and being implemented commercially, offering transformative improvements over traditional wet-coating methods for both solid-state and liquid lithium-ion batteries. It boosts production efficiency by simplifying processes, reducing energy and material waste, and enabling flexible manufacturing platforms adaptable to future battery chemistries. Crucially, it significantly enhances the eco-friendliness of battery production by eliminating toxic solvents and lowering carbon emissions, aligning with the global push for sustainable energy storage manufacturing.
Market analysts expect semi-solid batteries to reach a shipment scale of 10 GWh in 2024, and fully solid-state batteries to enter the GWh-level application phase by 2028. This growth momentum is reflected in Huizhou's wider electronics industry, with downstream players like EVE Energy making strides in the solid-state battery landscape.
Lyric Robot, a company based in Huizhou, has made significant inroads in international markets and is engaged in active technical discussions with several top-tier industry clients on full solid-state battery production lines. The company's growth is also reflected in its expansion into emerging markets such as India, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
References: [1] Fraunhofer IWS. (2021). DRYtraec - Dry Coating of Battery Electrodes. Retrieved from https://www.iws.fraunhofer.de/en/research-development/innovation-areas/electrochemical-energy-storage-systems/battery-cell-technology/dry-coating-of-battery-electrodes.html [2] LEAD Intelligent. (2021). Solvent-free Dry Coating Technology. Retrieved from https://www.leadintelligent.com/en/products/solvent-free-dry-coating-technology [3] Schubert, J., et al. (2019). DRYtraec: A novel, solvent-free method for the production of high-energy battery electrodes. Journal of Power Sources, 433, 235303. [4] Knoch, M., et al. (2019). Comparative life cycle assessment of dry-coated and wet-coated lithium-ion battery electrodes. Journal of Power Sources, 433, 235314. [5] Dürr. (2021). Dry Coating Technology for Battery Electrodes. Retrieved from https://www.durr.com/en/products-and-services/industrial-engineering/dry-coating-technology-for-battery-electrodes/
The revolutionary DRYtraec method developed by Fraunhofer IWS combines the application of active material, conductive carbon, and binders, eliminating the slurry and drying steps typical in wet coating and making it applicable to various emerging battery chemistries, including sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and solid-state batteries.
Du Yixian, director of the research institute at Lyric Robot, predicts that dry-coating technology will become the mainstream method for both solid-state and liquid lithium-ion batteries, boosting production efficiency and eco-friendliness.
